Engineered Floor and Scaffold Systems

ABSTRACT

This unique modular flooring system with system scaffold understructure is an engineered system capable of use with most tent manufacturer&#39;s options. The engineered floor is for engineered clear span tents. This unique system transfers the load of the tent, tent frame, scaffold system and floor understructure to the ground through the tent leg. The system is configured so that the stage flooring section does not support the tent, tent frame, tent poles and scaffold system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/207,121 filed on Aug. 19, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a unique modular flooring system for clear span tents and the understructures can be system scaffolding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional tent, awning and canopy frame structures of readily assemblable and disassemblable nature are known. They are commonly made up of cylindrical tubing and various types of junction elements or connectors, or so-called slip fit or slip-on fittings, commonly termed corner, ridge intermediate, intermediate, three-way crown, four-way crown, six-way crown and eight-way crown fitting.

Often, the prior art systems do not include means for sealing against the weather and other environmental conditions at the joints where the various panels are joined. Another disadvantage is that the prior art shelters have to be built on unlevel ground, which is the normal situation. Unlevel ground poses a number of problems when a number of units have to be added to each other to produce a relatively large shelter.

Another shortcoming is that the prior art systems are not strong enough to support the tent and tent frame structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The unique modular flooring system with scaffold understructure of this invention provides a solution to the problems of the prior art systems. The engineered system of this invention is capable of use with most clear span tent manufacturer's structures.

Clear span tents and frame structures are designed and manufactured in such a way that, it can be assembled and disassembled in the site. The clear span tent and structures are temporary structures and they are used in the event rental industries most of the time. The clear span tent and the structures are designed to setup in a leveled surface. Most of the clear span tent legs (uprights) are pinned to a base plate and the base plates are secured to a leveled surface. The entire base plates in a particular tent setup have to be in same level. These base plates transfer entire load from the tent to the ground or to a floor where the base plants are secured.

Majority of the time the clear span tents and structures are not used in a leveled surface, instead it is used in an unleveled ground like golf courts. One or few of the base plates may sit on the ground level but the rest of them are in a different elevation from the ground. In order to get a leveled surface for base plates the customer has to create a platform. In the rental industry there is no engineered platforms designed to accommodate clear span tents and structures. So the customers use different staging products or they create a platform with scaffolding, wood and plywood.

The above mentioned poses the following challenges.

1. Safety of the tent platform.

2. These platforms are custom platforms and the load capacities of the platforms are questionable.

3. Transferring the tent base plate reactions and the platform load to the ground is questionable.

4. Most of the time there is no proper way securing the platform from uplift loads.

5. No proper guide line to assemble a clear span tent on top of a platform.

The TF-2100 Flooring system provides solution for all the above challenges because it is designed, engineered and manufactured to take different clear span tents and structures.

The engineered system of this invention solves many of the problems of prior art systems. First, the sides of the tent extend outside and below beam connectors. The enclosure system is economical and light weight in construction and provides for depositing rain water and snow on the ground outboard of the scaffold assembly.

Secondly, the tent and tent frame are supported by scaffold legs which support the engineered system of this invention. The unique platform and the beam invention don't support the tent and tent frame. But the platform and the beam transfer all the live load to the system scaffold legs. The upright connecters transfer entire tent leg (Upright) load to the system scaffold leg. The beam of this invention and the upright connecter of this invention together transfer entire loads platform live load, load from the tent and weight of the tent) to the system scaffold leg.

The tent floor can be 8″ from the ground to 15 feet or even more from the ground. As a result, this system may support a tent on very unlevel ground. The load is transferred to the ground through the legs.

The components of this system's are universal beam, upright connector, beam connector, platforms, platform filler, universal saddle, and system scaffolding under structure.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the scaffold system of this invention without a platform.

FIG. 2 shows the universal beam in place on a saddle according to this invention.

FIG. 3 shows the upright connector of this invention.

FIG. 4 shows clear span tent legs and platforms (flooring) in place on the scaffold system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows the saddle of this invention.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the saddle of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of the saddle of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the universal beam of this invention.

FIG. 9 shows an end view of the universal beam of this invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the upright connector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 shows an end view of the upright connector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the platform system shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 13 shows a male roto look used with the platform system shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows a female roto lock used with the platform system shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows the elevation of the system of this invention in greater detail.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the universal beam of this invention.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the universal beam of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The TF-2100 is the engineered flooring system for the clear span tents and the structures. The TF-2100 flooring system consists of system scaffolding (under structures), and a flooring system. The understructure can be any system scaffolding as long as they have the right load capacity. Flooring systems consists mainly of the following items: saddle, universal beam, TF-2100 platform, and the upright connectors. The base plates will be replaced by the upright connectors.

The upright connectors are specifically designed for this type of tents so the customer has to use the right upright connector for the right tent. The TF-2100 flooring system accommodates Most of the clear span tents and structures. When you use different manufacture tent the customer have to use the specific upright connector for the specified tent. The universal beam, saddle and the TF-2100 plate forms are same for any type of tents.

The TF-2100 flooring system is designed to transfer entire load coming from the platform and the tent will be transferred to the scaffold legs. The universal beam, saddle and the TF-2100 platform will transfer platform live load to the legs and the upright connector will transfer the tent load.

The other advantages of this system are the TF-2100 flooring system is designed to go low as 8″ elevation to any platform heights. Also, the tent platform will be the exact size of the tent so the platform will not stick outside the tent. This makes the tent floor water proof because when it rains, the water will flow from the wail to the ground not to the platform.

FIG. 1 shows the scaffold system of this invention without a platform. FIG. 1 also shows scaffold system 10 including universal beam 12, upright connector 14 and saddle 16.

FIG. 1 also shows conventional scaffold components. For example, FIG. 1 snows connecting devices 30, horizontal posts 32 and scaffold legs 34.

FIG. 2 shows the universal beam 12 in place on a saddle 16 according to this invention.

FIG. 3 shows the upright connector 14 of this invention. Upright connector 14 engages universal beam 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the TF-2100 flooring system 10 is designed to transfer entire load coming from the platform and the tent to be transferred to the scaffold legs. Universal beam 12, saddle 16, and the TF-2100 platform will transfer platform live load to the legs. Upright connector 14 will transfer the tent load to the scaffold legs.

FIG. 4 shows clear span tent legs and platforms (flooring) in place on the scaffold system of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows clear span tent legs 20, TF-2100 platforms 22.

FIG. 5 shows saddle 16 of this invention. Saddle 16 includes insert, platform 33, and pin-snap lock shores 35. Hex jam nut 36 and screw cap 38 also are shown.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of saddle 16 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of saddle 16 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of universal beam 12 of this invention. Beam 12 also includes flanges 50. Flanges 50 are secured to upright connector 14 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 with bolt 52 and nut 54.

FIG. 9 shows an end view of universal beam 12 of this invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of upright connector 14 of FIG. 3. Upright connector 14 engages universal beam 12.

Connector 14 comprises bottom portion 40 which circumscribes beam 12. Bolts with hex heads and lock nuts hold insert 49 in place. Screw cap flat head sockets 42 also hold insert 49 in place. Connector 14 also comprises flat plate 44 and upright portion 46.

Upright portion 46 engages clear span tent legs 20 as shown in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, tent legs 20 circumscribe upright portion 46 and rests on flat plate 44. The design of upright connector may vary depending on the design of legs 20.

The upright connectors are specifically designed for this type of tents so the customer has to use the right upright connector for the right tent. The TF-2100 flooring system accommodates most of the clear span tents and structures. When you use different manufacture tent the customer have to use the specific upright connector for the specific tent. The universal beam, saddle, and the TF-2100 plate forms are same for any type of tents.

FIG. 11 shows an end view of upright connector 14 of FIG. 3. Housing 48 supports upright portion 46.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the platform system shown in FIG. 4 Male roto locks 60 and female roto locks 62 also are shown.

FIG. 13 shows male roto lock 60 used with the scaffold system shown in FIG. 12

FIG. 14 shows female roto lock 62 used with the scaffold system shown in FIG. 13

FIG. 15 shows the scaffold system of this invention in greater detail. The platforms of FIG. 12 is connected with another platform same size by roto lock. The roto lock is not use to connect the platform to the beam. The lock underneath the platform will secure the platform to the beam. Also shown is jack 33.

Every universal beam is connected with two universal saddles. FIG. 15 shows 4 universal beams. Other embodiments may include even more universal beam connected together to form a chain. At the end you have two upright connectors connected to the distal end and proximal end of the string.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views of the universal beam in greater detail. Inserts 50 are welded to one side of beam 12. This makes the beam very special because you eliminate left and right beams. One beam fit all sides.

The other advantages of this system are the TF-2100 flooring system is designed to go low as 8″ elevation to any platform heights. Also, the tent platform will be the exact size of the tent so the platform will not stick outside of the tent. This makes the tent floor water proof because when it rains, the water will flow from the wall to the ground not to the platform.

The above detailed description of the present invention is given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can he made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising a unique modular platform system with scaffold understructure for supporting a clear span tent and tent frame, wherein the apparatus comprises: a plurality of scaffold legs wherein each of the scaffold legs has a ground end and a supporting end; a plurality of upright connectors wherein each of the upright connectors is connected to the supporting end of one of the scaffold legs; a plurality of universal beams; a plurality of universal saddles wherein each of the universal beams is connected to two of the universal saddles; wherein the plurality of universal beams has a distal end and a proximal end; wherein the distal end is connected to one of the plurality of upright connectors; and wherein the proximal and is connected another of the plurality of upright connectors.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising plurality of platform sections wherein the plurality of universal beams support the plurality of platform sections.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of the universal beams has a shaped cross-section with opposing lips, and wherein the lips are configured to engage and support the platform sections.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of clear span tent legs and each of the upright on supports one of the clear span tent legs.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the upright connectors further comprises a bottom portion configured to circumscribe each of the universal beams.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the upright connectors comprises a flat plate supporting an upright portion.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the scaffold system is designed to transfer an entire load coming from the platform and the tent.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the universal beam, saddle and the TF-2100 platform is designed to transfer platform live load to the scaffold legs.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein upright connector will transfer the tent load to the scaffold legs.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 configured to transfer the load of the tent, tent frame, scaffold system and floor understructure to the ground through the plurality of scaffold legs.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 1 configured so that the platform sections do not support the tent, tent frame, tent poles and scaffold system.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tent circumscribes the apparatus and wherein the tent is configured to keep the interior of the tent and the flooring section dry.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of modules arranged side by side to form a shelter structure.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of scaffold legs have different heights to accommodate construction on uneven ground.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the scaffold legs extend below the platform sections.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of the universal beams has a flange attached to each end of the beam and wherein each flange is attached on the same side of the beam.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein each flange is welded to each universal beam.
 18. A universal beam configured for use in a scaffold system and floor understructure for supporting a tent and tent frame, wherein the universal beam has a shaped cross-section with opposing lips, and wherein the lips are configured to engage and support the flooring section.
 19. A universal saddle configured for use in a scaffold system and floor understructure for supporting a tent and tent frame wherein the universal saddle has a U-shaped cross section with opposing lips, and wherein the lips are configured to engage and support the flooring section.
 20. An upright connector configured with a geometric projection for attaching to a tent pole. 